Downs was recruited to Cal as an athlete with the potential of playing both linebacker and running back but started his career as a linebacker when he arrived at Cal as a mid-year enrollee in January of 2014. Downs was limited to non-contact drills during his first spring with the Bears due to an injury that caused him to miss his entire 2013 senior season. Downs was on the Rivals Preseason All-American Watch List prior to his senior season after a junior campaign in which he racked up 1,271 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense while adding 63 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks on defense to earn an AP Washington Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection.

Career StatsGame Logs: 2014Freshman (2014)► Listed in the No. 3 position at an outside linebacker spot on the preseason depth chart► One of three players along with junior college transfers Jonathan Johnson and Trevor Kelly and the only true freshman who was a mid-year enrollee and participated with the team during its spring practices but did not take part in any contact drills as he continues to recover from an injury that forced him to miss his senior campaign in high schoolMountlake Terrace HS (Class of 2014)► Named to the Rivals Preseason All-American Watch List and the MaxPreps Washington Preseason All-State Football Team, while also being rated as Scout’s top fullback in the West prior to his 2013 season but missed the campaign due to a knee injury► Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl following his senior season but unable to play due to injury► Participated in the 2013 Oakland NFTC► Rushed for 1,271 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense during his 2012 junior campaign, while adding 63 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks on defense to earn an AP Washington Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection as a running back and spots on both the 3A Wesco South All-League offensive and defensive teams► Named to the All-Oregon NFTC Team for Underclassmen in June of 2012► Rushed for 500 yards on offense to earn second-team 3A Wesco South All-League honors as a 2011 sophomore, while adding 90 tackles, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries on defense► Led his squad to the postseason for just the second and third times in school history as a sophomore and junior during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns► Paced the Wesco South League with 19 rushing touchdowns as a 2010 freshman

Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2014)► A four-star recruit according to 247Sports and ESPN, while he was given three stars by 247Sports Composite, Rivals and Scout► Listed among the nation’s top overall players by 247Sports (No. 181), ESPN (No. 206) and 247Sports Composite (No. 323)► Listed among the nation’s top fullbacks by Scout (No. 6), outside linebackers by 247Sports (No. 12) and 247Sports Composite (No. 27), and athletes by Rivals (No. 23) and ESPN (No. 25)► Ranked No. 26 on ESPN’s list of the top players in his region► ESPN (No. 2), 247Sports (No. 3), 247Sports Composite (No. 3) and Rivals (No. 4) had him among the top players overall in Washington► Received a 94 grade from 247Sports, while 247Sports Composite had him at 0.8891, ESPN at 82 and Rivals at 5.7► Called the “Best Big Back in the West” by Rivals in March of 2013Other ► Full name is Devante Johnston Downs► Born October 18, 1995► Parents are John Downs and Rosa Cham-Sanchez► Intended major is chemistry